Complaints regarding dog waste in North East Lincolnshire are on the rise as growing numbers of people fail to clean up after their dogs.
The council says there has been a spike in incidents across the borough in recent weeks.
Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, one angry local said: “I can’t walk two meters along my street without stepping in someone else’s dog mess. I don’t get how people think it’s acceptable behaviour. If you can’t pick up after your pet, don’t have one. It’s disgusting, people should be ashamed of themselves.”
Another added: “Well it’s just ridiculous isn’t it. You can’t walk more than five minutes without seeing poo or waste bags on the floor. Even if people do use the bins they’re overflowing. It’s just lazy. Why should the rest of us have to deal with it?”
Now, North East Lincolnshire Council has issued a reminder to dog owners across the borough, asking them to pick up after their dogs and warning them of the potential consequences of failing to do so. Offenders can be issued with a fixed penalty of £100 if they are in breach of the order. If they fail to pay the fixed penalty, it is likely they’ll be prosecuted in the magistrates’ court and be fined up to £1000.
Similarly, owners who are unable to demonstrate means to pick up dog mess, or who are walking their dogs off leads and/ or in unauthorised areas may also face fines. In January, three people were found to have breached the PSPO. Two were fined for dog fouling and one for having no means to pick up the waste.
Residents are urged to put their dog waste in bins across the borough, which are all emptied daily or weekly.
Discussing the issue, Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “We are seeing a rise in the number of complaints pertaining to dog fouling.
“It’s very clear what the rules are and any dog owner should know that they have to pick their pets waste up when out walking.
“It isn’t right that others should have to report it or made to manoeuvre around it when out in the borough. Those who are found to have breached the PSPO will be prosecuted and dealt with accordingly, it a serious issue that we are fully committed to tackling.”
Anyone wishing to report incidents of this nature can do so via the North East Lincolnshire Council website.
